HARPENDEN and Hitchin MP Peter Lilley has defended himself against claims his taxpayer-funded home in London is not necessary, insisting that unsocail working hours require him to remain within walking distance of Westminster.

Mr Lilley, whose main home is in Offley, Hitchin (approximately 40 miles away from Westminster), has claimed mortgage interest of around £12,500 a year on a second home in London in the last three years.

Political opponent Nigel Quinton, LibDem parliamentary candidate for Harpenden and Hitchin, said it was unnecessary for the MP to keep a home at taxpayers' expense as he lived within close proximity of Westminster.

But Mr Lilley has insisted that it is necessary to charge the taxpayer mortgage interest rates on a second home due to unsocial working hours, together with time consuming travel to and from the House of Commons.

He said: "My London home is within walking distance of the House of Commons. Last week I had been in the house until 10.20pm on Monday and 11pm on Tuesday. I was there until 9.30pm on Wednesday.

"I could have gone back every night, but when I do I don't see many of my constituents travelling back on a midnight train."

Mr Lilley was also criticised for food claims amounting to £3,000 over two years, to which he responded: "I work for 60 hours a week on parliament business including meals. I'm lucky If I get home to eat with my wife one night a week."

When asked to disclose the value of his London home, Mr Lilley told Review reporter Alexandra Barham: 'I don't see why that is any business of yours before firing the same question to her to which she replied: 'my home is not funded by the taxpayer'.

Mr Lilley eventually revealed he had been loaned £265,000 in 2000 for his London pad, but refused to disclose a precise value instead telling the Review it cost more than double his mortgage.

Properties within Mr Lilley's postcode had been selling at an average of £437,500 in 2006.